Sign



Jan. 10, 1933. G. M. REININGER SIGN Filed Sept. 6, 1932 W Q W Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGN Application fiIed September 6, 1952.

This invention especially relates to a type of sign in which neon tubes are employed, and has for an object to produce a neon tube sign in which a unique combination of neon tubes and incandescent lamp bulbs is obtained, and in which the mounting of the neon tubes is accomplished in a new and novel manner. These and other objects are attained in the sign described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sign embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. r

The invention is especially adapted to and has been embodied in a sign structure designed to be hung, as by an arm extending from a building, so that it may occupy a position at a right angle to a building for the purpose of enabling both sides of the sign to be read easily. This type of sign is especially adapted to my invention because of the manner in which the neon tubes are shaped and the manner in which they are mounted. In the embodiment I have disclosed, a sign board 11 having a reflector, protector or hood 12 extending across the top of the board, and with certain features of the device, such as the transformers housed and enclosed therein. Neon tubes 13, 14 and 15 are mounted on the board in a novel manner, each tube being of substantial U-shape with the branches of the U extending along opposite sides of the board, as shown at 16 and 17 in Fig. 2, with the base 18 of the U passing through the board to furnish convenient support. The ends of each tube extend to a point beneath the hood, convenient to the transformers and the source of current for the tubes, which transformer 19 has to be furnished to enable neon tubes to function at the proper voltage. In conjunction with the neon tube illumination, the novelty of the display may be further increased by the use of the usual incandescent lamp bulbs 20, if desired. Suitable spacers, as for example 21, in Fig. 2, may be employed to retain the Serial No. 631,773.

ends of each tube in proper relation to the sign board 11, these spacers being a con venient short length of glass tubing or rod fused to the neon tube walls.

v Having thus described my invention What 1 claim is:

l A sign comprising a sign board, a source of illun'iination of the board, a hood at the top to house certain features of the device therein, said source consisting of a U-shaped neon tube supported at its base by occupying an opening through the board, the tube branches occupying substantial parallelism with the opposite faces of the board and terminating beneath the hood, and means he neath the hood for connection of the tube terminals to a source of current, whereby illumination of the tube may be accomplished.

2. A sign comprising a sign board, a hood at the top. for enclosing certain features of the device therein, a neon tube to illuminate the board, consisting of a U-shaped tube having its base occupying a hole through the board, whereby the board occupies a position between the branches of the tube and a spacer between the branches adjacent to the ends thereof, adapted to maintain substantial parallelism of the branches and board, said spacer retaining the tube branch terminals beneath the hood and, with the tube JZLSG, mounting the tube to the board.

3. A sign comprising a sign board, an enclosing hood to house certain features of the device, a neon tube to illuminate the border of the board, a series of incandescent lamps in the hood to flood the board with light, said tube consisting of a U-shaped tube having its base occupying a hole through the board, whereby the board occupies a position between the branches of the tube, and a spacer between the'branches adjacent to the ends thereof, adapted to maintain substantial parallelism of the branches and board,'said spacer retaining the tube branch terminals beneath the hood and, with the tube base, mounting the tube on the board.

In witness whereof, I afllx my signature.

GUSTAVE M. REININGER. 

